Tag: Formula One

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Carmageddon Formula 1 Honda News

Honda walks out on F1

Honda quits F1 - Jenson Button

“We, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation.”

And with those words, Takeo Fukui, the chief executive of Honda Motors, confirmed the rumours and brought down the curtain on Honda as a Formula One constructor. However, the UK-based team may live on, if a buyer can be found. Fukui confirming the F1 team was up for grabs, “We will enter into consultation with the associates of Honda Racing F1 Team and its engine supplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the two companies. This will include offering the team for sale.”

Nick Fry, Honda Racing F1 team boss has high hopes a buyer can be found, “In the last 12 hours we’ve had three serious people come and suggest they’d like to buy the team,” he told the BBC.

“We’re one of the best-funded teams and have the best assets and resources in the pit lane – we’ll be quite a desirable asset for somebody.”

Honda Racing F1Team Principal, and general F1 mastermind, Ross Brawn is certainly talking up the Honda product, “Our information is that, relative to the other teams, we have a very strong car in development here at Brackley and we will continue to develop the RA109 to ensure a strong start to 2009 and improvement through the season. This is a unique opportunity. The facilities we have here are among the best in the sport…”

The full statement from Honda Motor Co and official responses from Honda Racing F1 team members can be read after the jump.

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Carmageddon Formula 1 Honda

Honda set to quit Formula One

In dramatic news Honda is set to withdraw from Formula One. While news still filters in this decision is confirmed the team could be gone before Christmas. The Japanese manufacturer is frantically looking for a buyer, but if one can’t be found they will simply close the doors and wind the team up. No doubt, if this does happen, that Ross Brawn will be snapped up very quickly by rival teams, with the ex-Ferrari man already linked to a move back to Maranello. However, the future of driver Jenson Button, as well as the 750-strong Brackley-based team employees, may be less bright, in the short term at least.

It is reported that the Honda F1 Team spends around AU$450 million (£200M) financing their team, and with the global financial crisis hitting car manufacturers hard, you can see why Honda may be starting to count their pennies.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s F1 commentator, David Croft, quoted on the BBC website, says, “This has serious implications for F1, not just because there will be only 18 cars on the grid. It’s the start of the sport as a whole feeling the pinch. Williams are reported to be in financial difficulties, Toyota are trimming down their budget as well.

“Bernie Ecclestone has some serious thinking to do in the next few weeks.”

He added, “Honda spend around £200m annually and had invested heavily in next year as well, including bringing in Ross Brawn as their team principal, the man who masterminded seven world titles for Michael Schumacher.

“But they are a car company whose sales have dropped by 41% in the last quarter, they’re closing their Swindon factory for two months at the start of next year, and obviously feeling the pinch on a global scale.

“If no buyer is found by March, the Honda team will cease to exist in F1.”

There are suggestions, however, that Honda may let the team be sold for as little as £1 if an appropriate backer can be found. (Such a sale would offer the witty adaption of the Honda F1 Team tag line “Powering dreams one pound at a time”.) Other possibilities could see Honda act as an engine supplier only. It is believed Honda will release a press statement detailing their plans sometime around 4pm today (AEDST).

The 2009 season starts on 29 March in Melbourne.

UPDATE: An anonymous quote reported to Associated Press leaves Honda’s desire in no doubt, “Their intention is to pull out entirely — as an engine supplier and sponsor. It’s a shock. I think this came as a total surprise to everyone. No one in the UK was aware of this decision before Thursday night.”

News is being constantly updated via the BBC link below, stay tuned for latest developments.

Source: BBC, autoposrt.com and AssociatedPress

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 Supercircuit

This is a Mobil 1 promo clip where Lewis Hamilton strings together his favourite corners from Formula One circuits around the world to form his own “Supercircuit”. Famous corners such as Spa’s Eau Rouge and Monaco’s Casino are featured, but there’s nothing from Melbourne’s Albert Park track. There’s also some gumpf from Mobil about their oil and the stresses it goes through during the lap.

A free plug for Mobil then, but it’s an interesting enough clip.

(Thanks to WorldCarFans for posting the clip on YouTube and cheers to Dylan for the link.)

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Formula 1 News

BBC TV announces 2009 F1 commentary team

BBC TV 2009 F1 commentary team

The BBC’s five-year deal to broadcast F1—which includes rights to TV, radio, internet and mobile (2009-2013 inclusive)—starts with next year’s Australian Grand Prix. Heading the broadcast team will be Jake Humphrey (pictured above left). Race commentary will come from Jonathan Legard, with Martin Brundle continuing his expert comments role. Joining Humphrey to chew the fat before and after each race will be David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan.

Pit lane commentary will be provided by Ted Kravitz (former ITV) and Lee McKenzie.

Murray Walker is back too, although in a special internet only role. He will provide regular observations on BBC’s website

Looks like a good lineup, made all the better by the simple fact that there is no f**king James Allen! F1 fans the world over will be delighted with that news. However, AUSmotive insiders inform us that Eddie Jordan could be just as excitable about the exploits of young Lewis. Let’s hope not.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz News

Lewis Hamilton wins dramatic title decider

Lewis Hamilton - 2008 F1 World Champion

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ll have heard that Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula 1 World Champion yesterday in the most dramatic of circumstances. Needing to finish the race in the top five to fend off the points challenge from a dominant weekend by race winner, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, Hamilton watched his title lead slip by when Sebastien Vettel relegated the Briton to sixth place with an overtaking move on the second last lap. This moment of high drama was only to be eclipsed by Timo Glock’s struggles in his Toyota on the last lap, which enabled both Vettel and Hamilton to pass and, crucially, slip Hamilton back into fifth position with just two corners remaining. And with that Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 F1 World Championship by the narrow margin of 5.4 seconds, the gap between himself and Glock back in sixth.

At the age of 23 years, 10 months and 26 days, Hamilton is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. He is McLaren’s 12th drivers’ world title, the first since Mika Häkkinen’s back to back titles in 1998 and 1999.

Speaking after the race Hamilton was quick to acknowledge those who have assisted him throughout his career, “The most dramatic race of my whole life. It’s pretty much impossible to put this into words: I’m still speechless. It’s been such a long journey, but I’ve always had the support of my family, the team, our partners and the fans. We did a fantastic job throughout the whole year and, with all the sacrifices we made, I’m so thrilled to be able to win this for everyone.”

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Formula 1

Who will be 2008 F1 world champion?

This weekend marks the last race in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar. Can Lewis Hamilton (94pts) maintain his seven point lead and claim his first World Championship? Or will Felipe Massa (87pts), in front of his home crowd in Brazil, snatch glory for Ferrari again, just as Raikonnen did in 2007? A win for Massa will take his season points tally to 97. So, can Hamilton finish in fifth place or better and earn the four points he needs to secure the title? Will McLaren play it safe and try to guide Lewis to a reliable points finish. Or will Hamilton, a racer at heart, chase the ultimate success, victory in the last race to claim the championship? So many questions, but only one answer will matter. It’s a shame that we have to wait until 4am Monday (AEDST) to find out!

David Coulthard will start his 246th and final Grand Prix on Sunday, so it is fitting that he talks us through a lap of the Interlagos circuit (graphic sourced from Telegraph.co.uk).

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Formula 1

Donington Park to host British Grand Prix from 2010

Donington Park

The British Grand Prix will be held at Donington Park from 2010. Donington last held a Formula One race in 1993—the European Grand Prix—won by the late Ayrton Senna. Formula One Management President Bernie Ecclestone said, “Finally the uncertainty is over. A contract has been signed with Donington Park and the future of the British Grand Prix is now secure. We wanted a world class venue for Formula One in Britain, something that the teams and British F1 fans could be proud of. The major development plans for Donington will give us exactly that. A venue that will put British motor sport back on the map.”

Simon Gillett, Donington Park CEO, was interviewed on ITV1 before today’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone and said plans for the redevelopment of the track and facilities would be announced soon. He assured viewers the section from Redgate to McLean’s (see circuit map below) would remain untouched, although a new loop section was likely to be added to the infield of the track.

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Formula 1

Melbourne to host Formula One Grand Prix until 2015

Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix

Victorian Premier, John Brumby and his Events team have struck a deal that will see Melbourne continue hosting a Formula One Grand Prix until 2015. Controversy over a full night time race appears to have been shelved, for now, with plans for the Melbourne race to start at 5pm for the next seven years. “It’s a five o’clock start. We’ve said that we would not support a night race, and we’ve held firm in that position,” Brumby said.

President of Formula One Management, Mr Bernie Ecclestone, said he was delighted the Grand Prix was continuing in Melbourne. “The Australian Grand Prix has always been a great show, with some of the biggest crowds in Formula One,” he said.

The crucial factor for Melbourne, or any Australian Grand Prix, has always been the early morning start for European television audiences, and it is understood negotiations for this new deal were intensive. Ecclestone commented, “I have wanted changes to the local race time so that we can increase the television audience in Europe and Asia. I’m satisfied that the decision to move to later start time for 2009 races is a win for television audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and a win for Formula One as a whole.”

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BMW Formula 1 Motorsports

A lap of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with Nick Heidfeld

To get you in the mood for this weekend’s Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix, I hope you enjoy this lap of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with commentary from BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld. This clip was spotted at our friends from BimmerFile, via BMW-web.tv.

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Formula 1 Motorsports

Max Mosley to remain FIA President

In stunning news just to hand Max Mosley has won a vote of confidence and will remain in his role as FIA President. The vote, called by Mosley himself, returned over 60% of the count in favour of the embattled motorsport supremo, winning 103 of the 169 votes.

Mosley’s controversial grip on the FIA has been under question since news broke of his involvement in a ‘Nazi-style sex orgy’ in late March. The automotive federations of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain and the USA all voted against Mosley. This follows public condemnation of the 68-year-old’s behaviour from prominent Formula 1 manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda. Even Formula 1’s main man, Bernie Ecclestone, has pleaded that Mosley step down. “He should go out of responsibility for the institution he represents,” Ecclestone told the Daily Telegraph.

Eddie Jordan, former Formula 1 team boss, has expressed concerns over Mosley’s ongoing tenure, “there are a lot of countries where F1 goes and lots of the rulers of those countries don’t want to deal with him. That is clearly not acceptable. My hope is that he will listen to the comments and then go.”

There are also suggestions from BBC journalist Adam Parsons that the FIA could face a damaging split, “he won by a clear majority, but among those who opposed him there is overt anger and resentment. The US, German and Dutch raised the spectre of breaking away from the FIA in protest is an unprecedented threat.

“Today the FIA is an organisation in crisis, facing the prospect of being ripped apart.”

Source: BBC

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Formula 1

Stepney-gate: The scandal that rocked Formula One

Wired: The scandal that rocked Formula OneWIRED magazine’s website has an excellent article written by Mark Seal about ‘Stepney-gate’, the spy scandal that embroiled Formula One in 2007. It involved the leaking of vital information between Ferrari and McLaren, principally from Ferrari’s Nigel Stepney to McLaren’s Michael Coughlan. The article explores Ron Dennis’ dislike of Team Red as well as the apparently innocent, if ultimately foolish, errand that brought Ron Dennis’ McLaren team to its knees. One of the introductory paragraphs reads:

“It was June 2007 in sleepy Surrey County, and Coughlan, a statuesque blonde, sauntered through the door of the shop holding a sheaf of 780 pages. Scan them onto two CDs, she told the clerk, a forgettable middle-aged guy in a forgettable office park in the middle of nowhere. Nothing strange about the order, unless you happened to be a Formula One fan and happened to take a close look at the material: schematic drawings, technical reports, pictures, and financial information — enough insider dope to design a Formula One race car. Each page was emblazoned with one of the most famous logos in the world: the prancing black horse of Ferrari.”

Click HERE to read the rest of the article.